Callistemon `Boyette`

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a new and distinct variety of Callistemon, characterized by an extreme weeping habit and persistent year-round flowering.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety ofCallistemon viminalis, which is a member of the Myrtaceae family.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Callistemon viminalis has been grown for many years as an ornamentalflowering tree for use in landscaping.

The instant variety which we discovered among plants growing on propertyin Tallevast, Fla. was closely observed from the time we first found thesame and its distinctive characteristics made it stand out from otherCallistemon viminalis growing nearby.

During the natural course of production of Callistemon viminalis at anursery in Tallevast, Fla., cuttings were selected from the best stockin the field with the thought of improving the variety. By this process,the instant sport was selected because of its extreme weepingcharacteristic and persistent year-round flowering. Its growth habit isunusually much different from the parent plant, having a much moreextreme weeping habit than the parent and also being a much morepersistent bloomer, blooming on a year-round basis while the parentCallistemon viminalis blooms fall and spring only, with a morepronounced flowering in the spring. Such characteristics enhance thebeauty of this new variety. We have named the selection Callistemonviminalis "Boyette".

This new variety has been asexually reproduced from cuttings at anursery in Tallevast, Fla., and its distinguishing characteristics haveproven to be permanent.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings serve by color photographic means toillustrate the new variety, one sheet showing an entire tree of the newvariety, having a height of approximately ten feet, while the othersheet provides a photographic close-up of the weeping branches of thenew variety with details of the blossom clusters and leaves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the new variety Callistemonviminalis "Boyette", with color terminology in accordance with the chart"Exotica Horticultural Color Guide" published in Exotica 3.

Parentage: A sport of Callistemon viminalis.

Propagation: Holds its distinguishing characteristics through successivepropagation from cuttings and roots.

Plant:

Form.--Small evergreen tree having extreme weeping habit, similar tothat of a weeping willow.

Height.--Grows to 16 to 20 feet at maturity.

Foliage:

Size of leaf.--One to two inches long and 1/4 to 1/2 inches wide, in themature leaf, with a short petiole.

Shape of leaf.--Small narrow leaves typical of the species. The leavesare simple, alternate, entire. The leaves are rigid and when crushedhave a camphor-like odor.

Flower:

Blooming habit.--Profuse and recurrent the year around.

Size.--The blossom cluster will vary from 3 to 6 inches long and from 2to 21/4 inches in diameter.

Shape.--The shape of the blossom cluster is almost an exact duplicate ofa test tube brush.

Color.--The flower color is cherry.

This new variety of Callistemon viminalis is particularly attractive asan ornamental landscaping specimen. It is vigorous in growth habit,producing a dense array of weeping branches having an extreme weepinghabit. The profuse and year-round recurrent blooming habit of this newvariety also adds to its overall attractiveness and commercial value.

It is claimed:
 1. The new and distinct variety of Callistemon viminalis,substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularlyas to novelty by an extreme weeping habit and persistent year-roundblooming.